GRAND RAPIDS, MI — The Rapid bus system gave 141,817 more rides on its fixed routes in February this year than it did a year prior, a 26.5 percent bump in ridership, according to figures released today.

The Rapid gave 677,131 rides on its fixed routes, compared to 535,314 in February 2011, according to the figures.

Extended hours, as well as increased frequency on a number of fixed routes, were made possible by a narrowly passed millage approved in May last year by residents of the six communities serviced by The Rapid.

An extension in weekend hours also has fueled a spike in fixed-route ridership on Saturdays and Sundays, according to The Rapid's data.

The system has given 57,139 year-to-date rides in the fiscal year that began last October, a 21.5 percent jump from the 47,019 rides it gave during the same timeframe a year prior.

Sunday riders jumped to 23,771 during that time frame this year, a 25.2 percent uptick from the 18,982 given a year prior, according to the data.

Overall, The Rapid’s ridership is up 20.6 percent across all it fixed route, paratransit and Go!Bus services since October, when compared to the same timeframe last year.

More service upgrades are expected in August, when The Rapid is slated to roll out 15-minute frequency during peak travel times on five of its routes, among other changes.

The Interurban Transit Partnership, which oversees The Rapid’s operations, recently purchased more buses to help with the expected August service upgrades.